Shmuz #127

Breaking The Forces Of Habits

We are creatures of habit. We act by habit, we react by habit, and, to a large extent, we even think by habit. In truth, it has to be that way. If we didn’t act based on previously established patterns of behavior, life would be unmanageable. If we had to think through each and every action, even simple things like turning a corner, our minds couldn’t focus on anything beyond navigating the basics of living. And then, we’d have no upper brain room left for thinking. So for that reason, HASHEM gave us the ability to put things on auto-pilot, to do many activities without even giving them a second thought, and freed our minds for more important things.

While this reality is a fact of life, it also brings us face to face with one of the core realities of growth: our habits determine who we are and what we become. Assuming that some of my habits are in my best interests while others aren’t, the question becomes, “How do I change?”

This Shmuz helps us identify those habits that affect us and then defines the strategies necessary to change them.